Effects of gadolinium on proliferation, differentiation and calcification of primary mouse osteoblasts in vitro

To evaluate the effects of Gd on proliferation, differentiation and mineralization function of primary osteoblasts (OBs) in vitro, we tested cell viability by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, cell differentiation by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, synthesis of type I collagen, and oil red 0 and alizarin red S (ARS) stain assays. The results indicated that effects of Gd on the proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, mineralization function and adipocytic transdifferentiation of primary OBs depended on concentration and incubation time, but were not dose-dependent. It was suggested that the effect of Gd on bone metabolism was complicated, and concentration and culture time were key factors for switching the biological effects of Gd from damage to protection.